Why can haploid Sordaria be used in genetics experiments?

[Ester]

Please help me.
I know that Sordaria is a member of the ascomycete fungi, a group often used in genetics experiments. Yet, Sordaria is haploid.
How can a haploid organism be used to test genetics problems when such things as crossing over require meiosis as the cell goes from a diploid to a haploid stage?
How, then, can we use this haploid organism to test the same genetic problems as with Mendel's peas?
Is it possible to use the same statistical procedures used in diploid species such as corn?

 

[jim mcnamara]

Short answer: Ascomycetes can undergo meiosis. By changing the environment you can encourage either asexual or sexual reproduction.

 

[Ouabache]

How can a haploid organism be used to test genetics problems when such things as crossing over require meiosis as the cell goes from a diploid to a haploid stage?

You can find insight on your question, in a recent topic about another Ascomycete - Aspergillus (ref recent topic). Both Sordaria and Aspergillus undergo a dikaryon (diploid) phase which leads to genetic recombination.

How, then, can we use this haploid organism to test the same genetic problems as with Mendel's peas?
Is it possible to use the same statistical procedures used in diploid species such as corn?

yes to both, as you will find out by following the above reference, there is a diploid phase in the ascomycete life cycle.

 

[Ester]

How can we use this haploid organism to test the same genetic problems as with Mendel's peas? What types of procedures one would take?

 

[Ouabache]

How can we use this haploid organism to test the same genetic problems as with Mendel's peas? What types of procedures one would take?

You would need to convince the Sordaria to generate (diploid) perithecia. This is accomplished by bringing to different haploid strains together in the same growing media.This reference may give you some ideas how you might use Sordaria for Mendelian genetic experiments.